And we’re off.
First off opening statements from the 7 participants. We have Leanne Wood from Plaid Cymru, Angus Robertson from the SNP, Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas from the Greens, Paul Nuttall, Amber Rudd and Tim Farron.
Amber Rudd is now claiming credit for stabilising the economy…before driving it off a Brexit cliff. She’s predictably doing the May vx Corbyn. But will people like what they have seen of her Brexit plan, Dementia Tax and under-investment in the NHS.
Amber Rudd says the best person to lead Britain is someone who is too weak and scared to turn up to a TV debate. #BBCDebate
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) May 31, 2017
Corbyn seems pretty animated and on message.
Tim gets the final opening statement. Three reasons to vote Lib Dem: Investment in NHS, giving you a say on Brexit deal, and whatever power you give me I will use to stop May taking you for granted. Here’s the whole thing.
Where do you think Theresa May is tonight?
Take a look out your window. She might be out there sizing up your house to pay for your social care.
And why do you think she called this election?
She wants five years as Prime Minister and she thinks you’ll give it to her, no questions asked – literally.
Even if she brings in a Dementia Tax, sacks your kids’ teachers and nicks their lunches while she’s at it.
We can all agree that is a rubbish offer.
Look, I know we don’t all agree on Brexit, but she’s off to negotiate a deal for you, for me – for all of us.
Imagine if it’s a bad deal – I mean Dementia Tax bad.
I know that to persuade you to vote Liberal Democrat I have to give you some really good reasons.
So here’s three.
One. I’ll rescue the NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax.
Two. I’ll give you the final say on the Brexit deal, not Theresa May.
Three. Whatever power you give me, I’ll use it to stop her taking you for granted.
It’s strong – What if the Brexit deal is bad, dementia tax bad, he said? We might not agree on Brexit, but I’ll give you a say in what happens next. He described the Tory offer as “rubbish” – talking of May sizing up your house to pay for your social care and nabbing your lunch while she’s at it.
First question on public sector pay freeze. Amber Rudd shows no empathy to the questioner whatsoever and talks about the need to balance the books.
Tim Farron says that economics is about people. It matters to him that we build a country where people are decent to each other.
He says that any one of us is a couple of steps from being in need of social security at some point. He says that public sector workers have borne brunt of pay freeze and we would end that.
He also said that extending childcare would let people go back to work.
Mrs Rudd, it's thanks to the @LibDems that millions of low earners were taken out of income tax altogether! #VoteLibDem #BBCDebate #GE2017
— Mathew Hulbert (@HulbertMathew) May 31, 2017
Tim Farron reiterates that anyone could become dependent on disability benefits. He's not wrong. I didn't envision this life. #BBCDebate
— Tories Out 2017 đźš® (@notwaving) May 31, 2017
Farron is going to end the benefits freeze. I wonder what Corbyn's policy on that is today? #BBCDebate
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) May 31, 2017
Corbyn is having a go at Paul Nuttall. He’s getting huge cheers. “Have you been to a food bank?”
Fair to say @timfarron upped his game since the first debate
— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) May 31, 2017
Farron has attacked Corbyn – saying that the elephant in the room is that you need to be in the single market to keep the economy on track. But Corbyn failed to support that when he had the chance.
So Paul Nuttall gets the immigration question first. It can only get better after this. He’s still banging on about the Australian points based system and is getting some isolated claps from the audience.
Tim Farron talks about the abuse that comes when you demonise immigrants – citing a doctor on way home after 50 hours saving lives after Manchester being racially abused.
We need an immigration policy that is good for Britain not a Tory immigration policy written to appease UKIP. Tim had specifically mentioned key sectors such as farming, the NHS, who need immigration.
Hm, Corbyn on immigration makes less sense than Donald Trump's #covfefe tweet… #BBCDebate #VoteLibDem
— Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) May 31, 2017
Tim Farron reminded the audience that Corbyn made sure his MPs and peers didn’t vote to ensure EU citizens’ right to stay when they had the chance.
Judge us on our record, says Amber Rudd. We have, say the others, almost in unison, to laughter from the audience. Amber Rudd is having an absolute nightmare.
Amber Rudd is now getting very rattled over Dementia tax, triple lock and Winter Fuel Allowance.
Tim Farron says if you vote Tory you are resolving to give Theresa May the right to leave telling you how much of your home she would allow you to keep till after you have given her a colossal majority.
Tim is now talking about the care his Mum had when she had Cancer from the NHS. He’s not quite got to the point of the question, though – about how our money would be invested and what good it would make.
"if you vote Tory you give her a blank cheque" @timfarron's best hit in #BBCDebate
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) May 31, 2017
Now we’re on terrorism. Corbyn seems a bit distracted – quite a rambling answer for a bit, but he’s now back on track as he talks about the Manchester vigil.
Farron rebuked Paul Nuttall who was basically blaming Islam for terrorism, reminding him that the Muslim community had condemned the attack on 5 separate occasions. Caroline Lucas built on this by saying that the Manchester bomber was no more representative of Islam than the murderer of Jo Cox was representative of British people.
Angus Robertson’s response was very much around giving the Police and security services the resources they require – showing that the SNP doesn’t do civil liberties.
On climate change, Tim said it couldn’t be left up to muesli eating hair shirt wearing Guardian readers:
Guardian readers! Let's help @timfarron and the #BBCDebate out – which do you prefer?
— Guardian politics (@GdnPolitics) May 31, 2017
Final question on leadership. Farron says good leaders don’t run away from a debate. How dare you call an election then run away from the debate. He finished:
I am determined to build a country where people are decent to each other and where public services are properly funded. If you want to lead the people you need to like them – and trust them. Either politicians or the people will sign the deal off. I trust the people.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social
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28 Comments
I don’t like Mishal Husain interruptions and asking extra questions rather than allowing everyone to answer the question first. I wonder what the rules are?
I think the answer given by Jeremy about tuition fees implied that Wales doesn’t have the money from the UK to do it, but would under a Labour government. A shame he couldn’t get this message out clearly?
Tim Farron has come out fighting. I like the “don’t get Theresa May a blank cheque” and the idea that she wants this on other issues such as dementia tax and other benefits for old people.
If Theresa May is watching I expect she is happy she didn’t turn up and didn’t have to deal with the negativity of the audience.
Tim’s built on his performance in the last debate, and doing well.
Corbyn started off fine, and has some decent moments, but seems to keep faltering. Tories and May getting a pummeling, but Amber Rudd seems to be positioning herself as the next Conservative leader – I can see why they put her on, rather than Theresa May. Maybe a post-election leadership contest/coup gearing up? Just what the country needs!
It’s so embarrassing that May didn’t turn up. She lost by default.
Farron missed a good opportunity for a mic drop at the end.
Tim did well!
Overall I think Tim performed well, particularly his opening and closing statements. Jeremy would be happy with his performance as would Amber Rudd. I think Amber performed better than Theresa May would have. If she had turned up we could have seen how weak and wobbly she is.
I despise Corbyn but he usually does well with the calm teacher act, tonight he was too shouty…
As with his Radio 5 interview yesterday Tim Farron has really impressed me tonight. The right mix of passion and pragmatism.
After a long time wavering my postal vote goes tomorrow and Tim succeeded in convincing me where the cross should go…
I think Tim Farron has discovered that humour works best for him when trying to talk to the electorate. He was the best performer tonight and got my vote. I also thought Nutall and Lucas had good nights (though I disagree with Nutall on most things). Bad night for the Tories and so so for Labour
Good for you Steve!
I think Tim did fine tonight, and Amber Rudd came off worst, but no-one had a car crash..
Tim did well. He comes across better when he relaxes into his natural humorous style that we know from Conference, rather than trying to channel his inner Vince Cable.
The improvement opportunity would be to try and get to the point just a little quicker. In a seven-way debate you’re never going to get too long to speak before someone cuts you off at the end.
Tim’s position as leader should be even stronger after the election, for a start he won’t have to worry about any potential challenge from Nick or Norman after they both lose their seats.
How did the boys and girls do tonight ? Marks out of 10.
Tim did OK – needs to be a bit less folksy and personal – it can irritate if over done (like David Davis’s brought up in a prefab stuff) . 8 points (includes a bonus point from personal loyalty).
Jeremy Corbyn Good reception from the audience and scored some hits. Not surprised he’s closing the gap. 8 points – would have been 9 without a slight hesitation at one point. (Unfortunately he seems to have a more popular and relevant manifesto than the Lib Dems judging by the audience reaction).
Caroline Lucas as usual very competent and articulate. 8 points for charisma and some good political points.
Leanne Wood. Not a lot to say really, 5 points. (includes a point for thumping Farage last time out)
Amber Rudd – Chill – did well to score nil political points – very Cheltenham Ladies College in a remote sort of way. But given her father died on Monday – St. Theresa should be ashamed of herself for bunking off. 3 points (for Amber’s personal courage in turning up and getting the Supreme Leader off the hook)
Professor Nuttall. No hiding place (though probably UKIP wish there was) …….. 0 points (would have scored less if he’d called Leanne Natalie again). Not even good enough for the bench at Tranmere Rovers. Could smell the aftershave coming through the TV.
Angus Donaldson – Not be underestimated. Got in a few good (and liberal) points on European citizens, Caron. Usually the best opposition spokesman at PMQ’s, but not quite as good as usual tonight. 8 minus.
The Chair : Awful – was trying to ‘out interupt’ the usual Dimbleby personage.
PS…….. Still on cloud nine after HTAFC got promoted to the Premier League at Wembley on Monday, so may have been too charitable. Half expected Lorenzo to run on with a hot and cold magic sponge tonight.
The most memorable thing about tonight’s debate – Mrs May did not turn up.
Well done to Tim Farron for his ‘Bake off’ quip.
I thought Lucas came out best with Corbyn in second place Tim did OK but Amber Rudd did poorly……
However, it appears that Rudd’s father died on Monday so I imagine she had other things on her mind…
If May knew about Rudd’s loss and still left Rudd to stand in for her, what does that say about May?
Well done Tim – this is much more like it.
With a week to go, if I were him (and the Lib Dem campaign team) I’d be sleeping just a little easier tonight. A real step in the right direction
Re. The audience: selected by Comres to be “balanced” so not surprised they cheered Labour policies more than Lib Dem…
If the Tories had just said the debate was a pointless waste of time and didn’t take part, I think that would have worked. However, by sending Rudd it does look like Mrs May was too frightened to take part herself. That said I doubt the debate will have much – if any – effect on the general election result. I know the polls are all over the place at the moment, but I just can’t see anything other than a Tory landslide. I haven’t met one person who voted Tory in 2015 who has changed to Labour. I know lots of Labour voters who are now voting Tory – even one that’s voting Lib Dem.
@ David Raw
I suppose you’re talking asbout Huddersfield. Congratulations indeed!
My favourite football club, Feyenoord from Rotterdam, just became Dutch Premier League champion again after a 19-years long wait and some grave financial difficulties, so the Dutch football season also had a long wait ended gloriously.
As to my opinion about the debate, see my reaction to Caron’s next posting.
Correction to a senior moment. It is of course Angus Robertson – not Donaldson.
@ Bernard. Yes, ”tis the mighty Terriers who made it. My son-in-law also supports Feyenoord so congratulations to you too.
malc 1st Jun ’17 – 12:40am………………. I know the polls are all over the place at the moment, but I just can’t see anything other than a Tory landslide. I haven’t met one person who voted Tory in 2015 who has changed to Labour. I know lots of Labour voters who are now voting Tory – even one that’s voting Lib Dem…………
You, clearly, move in different circles than I.
Two neighbours, staunch Conservatives, who voted ‘Leave’ have told me that they will NOT vote for Theresa May..One told me only yesterday that “She never mentions the Conservatives, it’s just about her;she sounds like a dictator”. I think I might even have got them to consider voting LibDem but I really believe they just won’t bother to vote…
Others in my circle, who were Labour and had said they wouldn’t vote for Corbyn, have been impressed by his recent performances and have changed back (one actually gave me the Labour leaflet)…
A couple of LibDem friends are sticking with us but may vote Labour to keep the Tories out…
What started out as the ‘Theresa May Show’ has turned sour….Every time she appears in front of anything but a select few Tory stalwarts she haemorrhages votes…When even Laura Kuenssberg criticises her you know things have changed…
@expats @malc similar for me: lots of staunch Conservatives I know are going to switch to another party. They don’t consider Labour an alternative, except as a possible tactical vote, and some want to go Lib Dem but don’t feel their vote will do much good where they are. Only one Labour voter I know is open about voting Tory this time, but he’s staunch Leave and has started idolising May and Trump.
The odd thing is how many Leave-voting friends/colleagues are considering Lib Dems for the first time. Most regret their decision and are hoping for a reversal, but one is very much of the “why haven’t we left yet?” opinion. I’m not sure he’s aware we’re pro-EU yet!
Scrub out the “similar for me” at the start – that was originally for the bit about Labour supporters!
David, sorry did not turn up with the sponges, glad you non political team did aswell as the leader of our political team did, and agree with some of your assessment.
I cannot abide the SNP, and whereas Sturgeon is at least a person who I , almost like as a personality and certainly rate as a figure that is substantive, Robertson merely is a version of Salmond with more subtelty but as much that is smug and full of his own self and political importance, though definitely one for his tribe !
The moderator was very inapropriately picked, because she is a very measured and decent newsreader, but has no idea of the task in these types of things, any more than Paxo did the other day in interviewing style gone out with the ark !